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Message Notes
1 Peter 4:7-11
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is at hand;”
1 Peter 4:7-11
“The end of the world is coming soon.”
2 Peter 3:8-9
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
Jesus himself warns his followers to be ready. He told many parables to help prepare us:
1) Parable of bridesmaids waiting on the bridegroom (Matthew 25) – Break us from the indifference that we’ve “done enough”.
Matthew 25:7-8
“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.”
2) Parable of homeowner returning from trip – Break us from the indifference in thinking we have plenty of time.
Mark 13:35-37
“You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return – in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
3) Story of burglar breaking into a house – Break us from the indifference of safety.
Luke 12:39-40
“Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Our indifference to the return of Jesus keeps us from living with our eyes and hearts fixed on the presence of God every day. Not just “one day” but TODAY.
“The doctrine of the Second Coming has failed, so far as we are concerned, if it does not make us realize that at every moment of every year in our lives God is present.” —C.S. Lewis
How can we NOT be filled with that same hope at the return of Christ, knowing what it means?
• He will come in glory and power as our King!
• Sin and death will be defeated once and for all!
• He will finally judge the sin and brokenness that we experience every day!
• We will spend eternity with Christ!
• We will be given new bodies…perfected bodies free of pain and disease!
• We will see Him and we will become like Him!
1 John 3:2-3
“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”
MAIN POINT: Being storm proofed for the future causes us to live differently in the present.
How can we storm proof our future?
1) Be people of prayer.
1 Peter 4:7b
“therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
2) Love others like Jesus.
1 Peter 4:8-9
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
3) Serve others with your gifts.
1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
1 Peter 4:11b
“in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”